|
Nabataea: Aretas IV (9 BCE - 40 CE) Æ Unit
|
Nabataean Kingdom, Aretas IV, 9 B.C. - 40 A.D., one of the three Biblical kings. Bronze AE 15, , 3.47gm, 19mm, Petra mint, obverse jugate laureate and draped bust of Aretas IV and Shaquilath right; reverse two cornucopias crossed and filleted, Aramaic legend, "Aretas, Shaquilath" in two lines above and one below; beautiful red earthen patina. SNG ANS 1438 - 43, Choice EF.
Aretas ruled around the time of Jesus' birth and was one of the three kings that most likely visited the baby Jesus while Judaea was under Herod the great rule. "After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, 'Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east and have come to worship him" Matthew 2:1-8
|
|